"My expectations is in '09 serious DKs will begin to separate themselves ... [servers] will learn which DK's can DPS without aggro, or tank without losing aggro."

Thank you. For most of my time in Outland, I was a hunted man, because the Hordies thought I'd be an easy kill. My 5-man instance groups included 2-3 Death Knights, both because they made up most of the level 60-68 population, but also because non-DK's assumed I'd be a liability. And they were right for a while, but by 65 I'd really found my groove, and since 75, I've received all kinds of invites to tank and DPS.

I largely owe my tanking success to my Warrior alt; if I'd invested most of my pre-Wrath time in a caster, tanking and melee DPS would be a whole new world for me. So yes, Omenscourge, I believe you're right; as the year progresses, skilled Death Knight players will begin to distinguish themselves from the rest of the group, and hopefully earn a little more respect for their class.

Amaxe (#17):
I find that the DK's OP-ness fades en route from 55 to 80. So yes, they're much more capable at 58 than other classes (post #17), but (from what I've read) that's intentional so that they can tear through Outland, catch up with their level 70 brethren, and begin their march on Icecrown. Once in Northrend, DK's are much more balanced with other classes, and can be torn apart by a skilled player just like anybody else.